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About 16,000 Xcel Energy customers remain without power Wednesday afternoon

By FOX 9 Staff
Published  August 28, 2024 11:27am CDT
Severe Weather
FOX 9

Thousands remain without power Wednesday morning

Utility crews are still working to restore power for thousands of people in the metro area after severe storms damaged poles and power lines.

The Brief

    • About 16,000 Xcel Energy customers in the Twin Cities metro and western Wisconsin are being impacted by the power outages as of Wednesday afternoon. There were about 30,000 impacted customers Wednesday morning.
    • Crews are working to restore power but are delayed by downed power lines after storms on Monday and Tuesday.
    • Some customers may not have power fully restored until Thursday evening.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (FOX 9) - Thousands of customers remain without power Wednesday after storms downed trees and power lines earlier this week. 

What we know

The latest data from Xcel Energy shows about 16,000 customers in the Twin Cities metro area and western Wisconsin are still impacted by power outages as of Wednesday afternoon. There were about 30,000 impacted customers Wednesday morning.

Xcel Energy said on Tuesday its crews were working to assess the damage and restore power to about 150,000 customers in the Twin Cities metro and western Wisconsin.

READ MORE: Thousands remain without power in MN after storms

Xcel Energy said its repair crews typically start with the largest outages before moving on to the neighborhood levels to have the biggest impacts possible. 

State Fair impact

Minnesota State Fair activities proceeded as normal on Wednesday morning. 

Admission for attendees was initially delayed on Tuesday as crews worked to assess storm damage and clear debris.

MN State Fair cleanup underway following storms

Storms that rolled through Minnesota late Monday and early Tuesday morning downed trees and took the power out for several communities, also leading to a delayed start for the Minnesota State Fair Tuesday morning. FOX 9’s Ian Leonard and Rob Olson have the latest on efforts to clean up the aftermath.

Strong storms Monday night prompted severe thunderstorm warnings for much of the metro area. Severe weather sirens also sounded due to the risk of winds reaching over 70 mph. Fairgoers were urged to seek shelter as some rides, attractions, and vendors were temporarily closed. 

What comes next

Wednesday's weather is expected to be quiet and comfortable as clouds slowly depart the area.

The forecast shows another storm system could reach the Twin Cities around 5 p.m. Thursday.

A spike in dew points is also likely to start Wednesday afternoon before reaching tropical-style warmth and humidity on Thursday. 

Friday is expected to be much more comfortable following a cold front once the storms pass. 

MN weather: Tranquil & comfy as clouds depart

Wednesday is expected to be quiet with a warm front pushing northeast through the metro area later in the evening and into the day on Thursday. FOX 9 meteorologist Cody Matz has the full forecast.